A former Cadott man now incarcerated will spend an additional year in jail for duct taping his 6-and-7 year-old boys together and physically abusing them.

James I. Dickinsen, 29, pled no contest Thursday to two counts of causing mental harm to a child. Rusk County Judge Frederick Henderson sentenced Dickinsen to one year in the county jail, consecutive to a 2 1/2-year prison sentence for fifth offense drunk driving he is currently serving. He was also placed on probation for three years.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Oct. 18, a Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department investigator and a Department of Human Services case worker spoke with a 6-year-old boy at Cadott Elementary School. The boy had a large bruise on his left upper hip area, a bruise across his back above the belt line and bruising on the left jaw and ear area.

The investigators indicate they learned that the boy’s mother had slapped him on the face and his step-father had used a belt to punish him.The investigators were also made aware of an incident in which, after being struck with a belt, the boy was duct taped to his step-brother as they were standing outside with their pants off, and water was was poured on them.

The information was confirmed by the 7-year-old boy, who had also received a spanking with a belt, though he did not suffer bruises.

The complaint states the mother, Sarah Dickinsen, denied knowing what had taken place involving the belt or duct tape. However, the boys said she was present at the time and did nothing to stop it.

James Dickinsen was originally charged with two counts of child abuse and one count of causing mental harm to a child.

Charges are still pending against Sarah Dickinsen, who is facing child abuse, neglecting a child and battery charges. She is to appear in court Oct. 8.